Juneteenth events abound countywide

It’s only been four years since Juneteenth became a national holiday, but Juneteenth celebrations have been taking place for more than 150 years after 250 enslaved people in Galveston, Texas received late news of their emancipation on June 19, 1865.
Once simple gatherings that included church services, storytelling, games, singing and cookouts, many Juneteenth events are now big affairs. Organizations and individuals in DeKalb County and metro Atlanta have embraced the recognition of Juneteenth with multiple events planned. Here are a few:

Chamblee
Chamblee recognizes Juneteenth on June 13 at its free Chamblee Rocks concert. Starting at 6:30 p.m. Motown and R&B hits by the Ray Howard Band will be performed followed by the No Diggity Band. The venue is in front of Chamblee City Hall, 5468 Peachtree Road.

Decatur
Gates open at 5 p.m. on June 14 for the DeKalb County 2025 Annual Juneteenth Festival. “This year’s Juneteenth Festival honors the legacy of diversity, equity, and inclusion while celebrating freedom and community. Enjoy an evening of live music, food trucks, local vendors, and powerful performances that uplift the spirit of unity and progress,” states promotional information about the event. The Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur is the venue for the free festival.
Gresham Park Christian Church is hosting ATL Juneteenth Business Showcase from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 14. The free event features music, food, vendors, entertainment and speakers. The church is located at 2819 Flat Shoals Road, Decatur.

Stonecrest
City of Stonecrest’s 3rd annual Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom brings live music, art vendors, food trucks, a kids zone, and fireworks to the Southeast Athletic Complex. The free event is scheduled for 5 to 9 p.m. June 14. The complex is located at 5845 Hillvale Road.

Stone Mountain
The lawn on Main Street is the site of the city of Stone Mountain’s Juneteenth celebration from 1 to 7 p.m. June 14. Festivities include dance performances, arts and crafts, music, a kids zone, food and wellness vendors.
The Roots To Horizons: A JUNETEENTH Celebration! (R2H) is a series of events at D7 Event Space 412 on June 19-21 including workshops, entertainment, healing and forgiveness sessions, fashion show, spoken word, food, music, and a silent vibe tribe. The venue is located at 437 Hairston Way, Stone Mountain. For more information, go to www.roots2horizon.com.

Atlanta
The Juneteenth Atlanta Parade and Music Festival takes place on June 14. The parade, with a theme of “Georgia United” steps off at noon traveling from John Lewis Freedom Parkway in Atlanta to Piedmont Park. A music festival follows. Details available at juneteenthatl.com

lithonia
Three days of Juneteenth recognition are being organized in Lithonia and Stonecrest as the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance has events scheduled for June 16-18:
• A celebration of preservation, conservation and interpretation at Lyon Farm, one of the oldest African-American communities in Georgia where enslaved people once worked, is planned for 10 a.m. to noon June 16. The farm is located at 4431 Lyon Road, Stonecrest.
• Juneteenth Storytelling Festival is set for 1 to 3 p.m. June 17 at East DeKalb at Bruce Street Senior Center, 2449 Bruce St., Lithonia. “Bring your historic images, family photos and stories about growing up here for a book that the Arabia Alliance is writing about Lithonia and Arabia Mountain,” according to information from the alliance.
• Bennett Parten, author of “Somewhere Toward Freedom,” will read from his book and lead a walk through downtown Lithonia to trace the footsteps of Union Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman’s march to the sea in 1864.

Brookhaven
The city of Brookhaven is joining Sandy Springs for a Juneteenth celebration from 5 to 8 p.m. June 19 that includes an art production, immersive art exhibit, arts and crafts, and food trucks. The event takes place at City Springs, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs.